We should have known that the finale would be relatively unexciting given last week's episode and how it ended. They have split the last handful of challenges across two weeks, starting it one week and then finishing it in the final episode. That was not the case this year, they squeezed the entire final into one episode. There are a couple reasons for this:
- The drama from last week was FANTASTIC, and they wanted to get as much of that footage in as possible.
- The third team in the finale was so weak that they essentially had 2/3 of the footage that from the finale that they usually do. (Spoilers after the jump)
- The finale was never close - Jordan and Sarah literally led wire to wire and were never in serious jeopardy.
- A couple of the challenges were either too easy or too hard (more on this to come).
The Finale Itself
The basic structure of the challenge unfolded as follows:
- Cardio (Swim/Kayak/Run)
- Word Puzzle
- Cardio (Run)
- Drinking Challenge (Fish Eggs)
- Cardio (Run)
- Eating Challenge ("Caviar")
- Cardio (Run/Bike)
- Resting Challenge (Sleep in Cold/Stand by Fire)
- Climbing Challenge
As expected Sarah/Jordan dominated this, cruising through the swim and kayak and holding a lead during the run. JJ started off fine but then crumbled in the run. Leroy struggled on the swim and kayak, but he and Theresa were still able to catch JJ during the run. (I should point out Jenna doesn't run during the cardio sections, just walks, and is already talking about quitting.)
"Get in third place where you belong" - Theresa
Section 2: Word Puzzle
It's a simple word scramble. Sarah solves it within minutes and Jordan/Sarah leave without seeing any of the others. Leroy and Theresa seem to take a little longer with the puzzle but solve it easily and move on. JJ are unable to solve it and have to wait until the full time has elapsed (not even close to solving it).
"I'm just looking at rocks while Theresa puts them together. I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed."
-Leroy
Section 3: Cardio (Run): Nothing notable Sarah/Jordan/Theresa/Leroy are running, JJ are walking.
Section 4: Drinking Challenge (Fish Eggs)
This was supposed to be a skilled game - Flip Cup, but somehow the producers messed it up and made it way too hard. I've watched it twice and am still unclear as to what the rules are, but no one was successful at avoiding drinking what amounted to 4 glasses of fish eggs each.
Lots of throwing up as expected - but Jordan/Sarah/Leroy/Theresa were able to pound them back and complete with little/no issues. This was not the case for JJ. As they approached the table Jay said they wouldn't be able to complete it because Jenna couldn't eat. Little did he know what would happen:
"Jay, are you crying?" - TJ
RIP: Jay and Jenna
Major gripe with this challenge though: the flipping was so hard that it didn't differentiate the strong from the weak and was equally as impossible for everyone.
Section 5: Cardio (Run) - Another unremarkable run, Leroy/Theresa still cannot get within sight of Sarah/Jordan.
Section 6: Eating Challenge (Caviar)
This time you could successfully avoid eating tubes of caviar if you tossed rocks into holes (twisted cornhole?). It was also remarkably hard, and both teams were unsuccessful. After 30 minutes both teams were able to move on to the next section. Leroy/Theresa did see Jordan/Sarah during this challenge so we know they were within 30 minutes of each other.
Once again the most remarkable thing about this challenge was the impossibility of it. If you want to do an eating challenge just do an eating challenge. The producers screwed up by not allowing the competitors to distinguish themselves from each other. The most remarkable thing about this challenge though was Theresa's ability to pound the tubes while everyone else puked their brains out.
"It tastes like re-fried beans." - Theresa
Section 7: Cardio (Biking)
Another unremarkable section except for one thing: Sarah had to shit really bad. This sparks a few questions:
- This is a multi-day challenge, they obviously have to go to the bathroom multiple times. Do they have toilets for them to use?
- This can't have been the first time this happened in a challenge after eating, but I can't remember the producers making a big deal out of it?
- Do you think a camera guy filmed the whole thing?
- Why did Sarah go so far off the road?
"I'm going to fucking shit everywhere."
"Ohhhhhhhhhh yay thank you, God."
-Sarah
Section 8: Resting
Contestants were given additional clothes and given an option. Either stand by the fire, or lay on a very small cot away from the fire. The temperature got down to 10 degrees, which is pretty chilly with no shelter and minimal clothing.
MTV didn't give us an exact time difference, but it seemed that Sarah/Jordan arrived well in advance of Leroy/Theresa. It was light out when Sarah/Jordan arrived and dark when Leroy/Theresa showed up. Sarah/Jordan were fully changed and sitting by the fire, and had already had a lengthy heart-to-heart. If I had to bet Sarah and Jordan actually gained time during the biking besides Sarah's shitting episode.
It seemed that Leroy/Theresa spent more time during the night by the fire, while Sarah/Jordan spent more time asleep on the mat. While on the mat Sarah/Jordan went for the "sleep on top of each other" strategy and Leroy/Theresa went for the "spooning" strategy. I think this actually made a huge difference as Sarah/Jordan were able to sleep significantly more and have fresher legs.
Section 9: The Climb
The final part of the challenge was to summit "one of the hardest climbs in Norway." To be honest, it didn't look that hard, but it did provide a classic race to the top of the mountain. Somewhat reminiscent of the first "Battle of the Exes" when CT broke down on the mountain and Bananas/Camilla surged to victory! Unfortunately, this one was not that exciting. Sarah/Jordan led from start to finish and were never seriously challenged by Leroy/Theresa.
The most notable thing about this section was the producers trying to completely screw over Sarah/Jordan. They only gave them a 5 minute head start. I repeat, a FIVE minute head start. They were definitely ahead by at least 30 minutes the day before but the producers wanted drama so they eliminated Sarah/Jordan's advantage. Sarah was not pleased:
"It's hard. It's really really hard." - Sarah
I'm just glad that this didn't cause Sarah/Jordan to lose.
Finale Wrap Up:
Overall the finale played out as expected. Sarah/Jordan grabbed the early lead and never relinquished it, despite the producers only giving them a five minute head start on Day Two. All four of the contestants got along fairly well, which I think sapped some drama out of the episode. I'm sure that if Nia had still been involved, the celebration at the top of the mountain would have not been elation all around.
Sarah/Jordan deserved this victory - they cruised through the challenge, essentially winning almost every single stage. Theresa/Leroy were well aware of this so I think they were pretty satisfied with their second place finish (especially Theresa, who didn't deserve to be there at all). I still wish that Banany had been involved, I think it would have been an epic race between them and Sarah/Jordan.
Quick Hits on the Season
- I'm glad Sarah finally won - she's deserved it after all these years. I wonder if this may be the last one for her, she seemed pretty shaken up by the abuse she took from Bananas.
- This was one of the best seasons in a while, tons of drama, tons of strategy, just an anticlimatic final.
- I think we are due for a shift. The exes/rivals/free agent structure is overdone at this point. Let's get back to a team structure, Rookies vs Vets or something of that nature.
- Also think a change of finale structure is in order. It has gotten to predictable.
- I know they will bring Nia back, but it really is a shame after her hateful language and inappropriate actions.
- Not sure how I feel about Are You the One becoming a feeder show for the Challenge. I liked Brittany and Adam, but John and Simone were AWFUL.
- It was really, really hard to watch the show knowing Knight and Diem had passed away - I don't necessarily like how the producers dealt with it, but I don't know if I could have done any better.
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